Best Nightlife Experiences in Washington DC

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When night falls over Washington DC, the nation’s capital wakes up. Revel in the nightlife of upscale Dupont Circle or Georgetown, explore the edgy nightclubs of H Street and Adams Morgan, or take a city tour to see historic monuments by moonlight. Here’s how to dig DC after dark.

Night Sightseeing Tours

Avoid the crowds and take a small-group tour to Washington’s iconic sights while they are the least crowded—after dark. Learn about the country’s history while gazing up at the Lincoln Memorial’s dramatically lit columns and see the nighttime scurry behind the glowing windows of the White House. There are evening photo safaris, Segway tours, and even after-dark biking tours. Customizable van tours take the hassle out of navigating huge swaths of the city after dark, and guides can also point out dance clubs and other DC nightlife hot spots to visit following the tour.

Night Cruises

Take it all in from the Potomac on a sunset dinner cruise. Luxury yachts ply the river’s waters on a course past the illuminated Washington Monument. Enjoy a multicourse meal, live music, and even dancing—a fun and relaxing way to spend an evening in the District.

Pub and Brewery Tours

Sip and savor Washington DC’s nightlife scene and leave the navigating up to local guides. There’s a tour for virtually every bar-loving audience. Take a haunted pub crawl in Alexandria, see the city sights by rickshaw with wine in hand, sample whiskey from local distilleries, sip brews from some of the city’s best bars on a curated bar crawl, find wine bars serving local vintages, find hidden rooftop bars, or try food pairings on a brewpub tour.

Ride a luxury coach past major landmarks on this night bus tour of Washington DC. Gaze at floodlit memorials and monuments, such as the magnificent Lincoln Memorial and the glow of the Jefferson Memorial reflected in the Tidal Basin. After this 3-hour sightseeing tour, you’ll understand why the nation’s capital is considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities at night.

See Washington DC light up for the season with a 3-hour, holiday lights sightseeing tour of the city’s most important landmarks. Visit the evergreen ‘People’s Tree’ at the U.S. Capitol, and then take in the National Christmas Tree at the White House Ellipse. Walk through the State and Territory trees that celebrate traditions from around the United States, and enjoy a festive atmosphere with a model train village, Santa’s workshop, and holiday music. Finish your tour at the Lincoln Memorial for unforgettable nighttime views of the Capitol Building and Washington Monument.

There's a certain magic to Washington DC when the sun gets low in the sky, and the pale orange glow of evening twilight begins to change into night. On this twilight Washington DC open top double-decker bus tour, grab your camera and hop on board to tour America's capital, as we cruise by bus around the memorials, monuments, and US Capitol. You'll also have time to snap a photo while standing outside the White House, and pay your respects at war memorials from Korea and World War II.

Explore the famous monuments and memorials of Washington DC by moonlight on this narrated, 2.5-hour sightseeing tour. Hop aboard an open-air trolley and enjoy an educational and entertaining history of the nation’s capital while traveling past each point of interest. Take in the stunning views of an illuminated Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the White House and many other landmarks. This is a truly unique look at the iconic monuments of Washington DC by night.

Explore the famous monuments and war memorials of Washington, DC by the light of night on this guided, 2-hour, small-group sightseeing tour. Hop aboard an open-air, electric vehicle and enjoy an educational and entertaining narrated history of our nation’s capital. Travel around and through the plethora of famous memorials and monuments, with stunning views of an illuminated Washington Monument, the White House and many other landmark locations. This is a truly unique look at the iconic monuments of Washington, DC by night.

Explore the famous monuments and war memorials of Washington, DC by the light of night on this guided, 4-hour, small-group sightseeing tour. Hop aboard a Dodge Sprinter van and enjoy an educational and entertaining narrated history of the nation’s capital. Travel around and through the plethora of famous memorials and monuments, with stunning views of an illuminated Washington Monument, the White House and many other landmark locations. This is a truly unique look at the iconic monuments of Washington DC by night.

Experience the beauty of America's iconic capital city during this moonlit tour of Washington, D.C. by van. Make your way in a private vehicle through historic landmarks and top attractions. Visit Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and more. It's the perfect way to cap off a day of sightseeing with a relaxing tour at dusk.

With this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour through Washington, DC, travelers can choose to see the city at their own pace. Linger longer at some sites while skipping others entirely. With 20 stops, you’ll have access to the US Capitol Building, National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, and more. Hear live narration, and choose between 1-day pass or 2-day pass with a bonus night bus.

Explore the famous monuments and war memorials of Washington, DC by the light of night on this guided, 3-hour sightseeing tour. Hop aboard an air-conditioned minivan and enjoy an educational and entertaining narrated history of our nation’s capital. Travel around and through the plethora of famous memorials and monuments, with stunning views of an illuminated Washington Monument, the White House and many other landmark locations. This is a truly unique look at the iconic monuments of Washington DC by night.

Enjoy delicious cuisine and live entertainment with a view of Washington, DC on this 2.5-3 hour dinner cruise along the Potomac River. On board the elegant Odyssey cruise ship, choose from one of three exquisitely decorated glass atrium dining rooms or head to the open-air observation deck to admire the view. Dine on a delicious 3-course meal, then dance the night away or see the famous sites of the nation’s capital — like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, Reagan National Airport and much more under a moonlit sky.

See Washington, DC’s best sites light up after dark on a 3-hour, nighttime tour of the National Mall and monuments. Listen to an entertaining narrated history of the capital city, then stop to explore the most important destinations, from moving tributes to America's 20th-century wars to inspiring presidential landmarks. Take in the White House and the U.S. Capitol building at their most picturesque and get the perfect orientation and overview of Washington, DC.

Explore the monuments, war memorials and famous sites of Washington, DC by the light of night on this guided, 4-hour, small-group sightseeing tour. Enjoy an educational and entertaining narrated history of the US capital. Travel around and through the plethora of famous memorials and monuments, with stunning views of an illuminated Washington Monument, the White House and many other landmark locations. Also, see the Potomac River, Dupont Circle, Washington National Cathedral and much more. This is a truly unique look at Washington, DC by night.

Learn about Washington, DC’s thriving brewpub scene and taste a variety of award-winning beverages on these guided, 5-hour, daytime and evening brewery tours. Get an inside look at how beer is made and chat with brewery owners about their operations. Visit four of DC’s top brewpubs that may include Public Option, Capitol City Brewing Company, Port City Brewing Company, Bardo, DC Brau Brewing Company, District ChopHouse and Brewery or Hellbender Brewing Company. Enjoy food pairings for lunch or dinner, depending on the tour selected. Round-trip transportation by bus is included.

Step aboard this 2-hour fully narrated nighttime bus tour of Washington, DC to see the sights lit up for the night. Live commentary in English, recorded commentary is available in additional languages. Two pickup locations available for your convenience.

Glide through Washington, D.C. in the glow of the evening on this fabulous evening tour past some of the city’s most iconic monuments and memorials including The White House, the US Capitol Building, and the Washington Monument. Enjoy spectacular views of historic sites as they light the night sky. This is a truly unique way to see the city.

There's a certain magic to Washington DC that can only be experienced at night. It's a time when the powerful Lincoln Memorial is bathed in a soft white light, and the Washington Monument, Capitol, and White House appear even more grandiose. Along with a knowledgeable local guide, take a tour of Washington DC well after the sun has gone down, and feel the buzz, magic, and pulse of America's capital by night.

Washington, DC’s monuments and landmarks light up after dark, perfect for dramatic views and memorable photos of the capital city. Explore the sights from the National Mall to the White House and key memorials on a 3-hour, guided, small-group night tour that includes transport between locations.

Skip the stress of planning and navigating on your own when you book a food and walking tour of historic H Street. As you taste your way through the multicultural neighborhood, listen to little-known and sometimes controversial anecdotes about the construction of the U.S. capital. Your guide eliminates the stress of navigating on your own, which allows you to relax and enjoy views of major landmarks along the way.

There’s nothing quite like Washington DC and it’s iconic highlights under the moonlight. Hop on a double-decker bus on this 3-hour night tour of Washington DC, and catch sight of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. See places, such as the Washington Monument, Union Station, the White House, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial. Make specific stops to view the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and the Iwo Jima Memorial illuminated in the surrounding darkness.

Experience the beauty of Washington, D.C. at night on this monuments at night bike tour of the city. Check out the Jefferson, Lincoln and WWII memorials once the sun goes down and explore the Vietnam War Memorial and the National Mall at night. This popular tour offers travelers the chance to explore on two wheels after dark when monuments are less crowded.

Take in the city skyline during sunset in Washington DC on an all-you-can-eat buffet cruise. Board a luxury boat for a sightseeing cruise on the Potomac River with dinner and dancing while a DJ spins your favorite tunes. Pass by illuminated landmarks such as the Washington Monument and feast on a variety of delicious dishes during the 3-hour tour.

Take a break from sightseeing with a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC. Amid musical memorabilia, enjoy a classic American dish such as a cheeseburger, hickory-smoked ribs or steak with your choice of three themed menu options. The 2- or 3-course meal includes a nonalcoholic drink (soda, coffee or tea) and dessert.

Washington DC’s landmarks are notoriously spread out. Avoid the hassle of walking and navigating on a breezy pedicab tour to the capital’s top monuments, including the White House, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial. Throughout the tour, your pedicab driver guide provides historical background and little-known anecdotes that you’d miss if exploring on your own.

Combine a pub crawl and a ghost tour in the area around the White House on this evening tour in Washington DC. Stroll about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) while listening to ghostly commentary from your costumed guide about presidents, the prohibition era, and are pubs. Walk through Lafayette Square and make several stops at area pubs, where you are welcome to purchase adult beverages (not required).